Hot Stuff

Guest Author - Elizabeth Darrach

Hello, and welcome back! I hope you´re all enjoying the Indian summer-like weather we´ve been lucky enough to have here the past few days. But today, it´s much cooler again, reminding me that summer´s really gone for the year. And in case you haven´t done much reading in the last week, I´ve got a couple new ones for you, sure to heat things up.

First up is "Wild Thing" by Anne Stuart (Harlequin American). Imagine you´re a scientist offered the chance to study a man believed to be the missing link. Libby Holden must do just that, and she uncovers much more than a missing link with John Hunter, who cleans up very nicely. Libby´s a city girl, though, while John prefers the life of a hermit, and a wild one at that, on an island off the coast of Australia. Even though you don´t get any of John´s point of view for the first half of the book, you want to cheer him on anyway. There´s a lot of humor in this book, a couple of bumbling bad guys, and a hero who´s sexy as all get-out. My only complaint is it´s too short. This one earns four of Cupid´s five arrows.

Next up is the anthology Fascinated with novellas by Bertrice Small, Susan Johnson, Thea Devine and Robin Schone. If you´re signed up for my weekly newsletter, you already know I was reading this one. And if you´re a fan of erotic romance, this should go on the top of your to-be-bought list. Bertrice Small´s contribution is "Mastering Lady Lucinda," with Lucinda at the mercy of the Master, who is supposed to be taming her for the suitors she rejected and humiliated. But Lucinda and her captor are falling in love instead. But how can she avoid the fate the rejected men have waiting for her after her taming? Hot, hot, hot! The second novella is from Susan Johnson, "Risking It All." Felicia Greenwood has one last chance to save all that is dear to her from a blackmailing family member. Just as she´s about to lose it all, an unexpected savior comes to her rescue. Does she dare to risk even more than her home for a night of pleasure with this man? Whew! The third offering is Thea Devine´s "The Pleasure Game." Regina Olney finds herself in a bit of a fix, trying to attract a notorious rake and attempting to outsmart her father and childhood friend who are determined to keep her away from the scoundrel. But Regina has sexy plans of her own for Jeremy, and they don´t include the rake. I always look forward to Ms. Devine´s new books. Last, but certainly not least, is "A Man and a Woman" by Robin Schone. Widow Megan Branwell takes on a masquerade for one night, trying to learn some of the things her late husband refused her. But her partner has some issues of his own. Wonderful characters, as usual for Ms. Schone. This anthology has earned four and a half arrows. Definitely a keeper.